[RTTY] SPE 2K-FA amplifier duty cycle

[Jay WS7I]

Knowing nothing about that specific amplifier, but recalling an old Ad 
about a brick on an Alpha and a story.  I think it was the 87A. Went to 
Portland, Or ARRL National many years ago and the Alpha booth was right 
next door to the Hal Communications booth.

I was talking to Bill Henry of Hal and some guy was quizzing the Alpha 
guy about RTTY.  So I wandered over and was listening.  I then offered 
to buy an Alpha if it was truely key-down as the Ad suggested.  After 
him quizzing me about RTTY for a bit and me telling him about the 
"Boffin's Net" where a decent go around might last 20 to 30 minutes at a 
time by each person he allowed how there was a "special" cooling kit 
available.

As I recall a bit later when my old buddy Ron AB5KD later K5DJ bought a 
87A for RTTY contesting he got the add on.

Funny thing even in the Amps reflector they have a bunch of nonsense 
about air on amps.  If you run RTTY add fans and the amps will work 
fine.  But I have seen the solder melt out of a 3-500Z's pin in a henry 
as there is no air flow in the tank.  Throw a fan above that area and 
suck out the heat and they work fine.

So, Bill let us know when you buy one and if they have any duty cycle 
figures.  Good thing (in some ways) is that there is no longer any RTTY 
ragchewers on the Band.  Bring back the "Boffin Net".

Jay

On 5/17/2015 10:57 PM, Bill Turner wrote:
> I'm thinking of getting an SPE 2K-FA amplifier and I have a question
> about duty cycle at full power.
>
> I understand it will run full 1500 watts on SSB and CW, but not so on
> RTTY, at least not brick on the key mode. After a certain period of
> operation it will cut back to a lower power level.
>
> My question is how long will it run at 1500 watts carrier before
> cutting back?
>
> All comments welcome.
>